The Collection is now over 70 years old and has over 13,000 items. With hundreds of intriguing objects on display at the Guildhall there’s so much to explore. But that’s just the beginning – thousands more treasures are carefully preserved in the Museum Archive Store, awaiting discovery as we continue to catalogue and expand the Collection.
The Collection also has one of the best oral histories in the Southeast East, painstakingly made by the Museum Staff. This ensures that the Royal Borough’s remarkable history is kept alive for future generations.
Examples of our Treasures
The Collection is split into eight categories covering a range of topics about life in Windsor and the surrounding area. We are going to tease you with some of the items within the Collection and give links to the Museum’s Online Collection where you can get more information (just click on the image). Many of these items have been displayed in the Museum over the years. Not everything is catalogued and digitised yet, as it takes a lot of painstaking time and effort.
Military and Armed Forces
The Dead Man’s Penny
Given to the wives and mothers of all British and Empire soldiers who died in the First World War – 1.2 million were produced. Part of our Museum Collection, one of two bronze memorial medallions awarded for the deaths of brothers Henry Douglas Ashman and Cyril Arthur Ashman.
Working Life and Trade
Windsor Volunteer Fire Brigade
An interesting 1907 mounted photograph showing the men, engines, horses and equipment outside the St. Leonard’s Road Fire Station (now The Old Court Art Space). Photographed by Russell, Windsor.
Transport and Aviation
Postcard from First Aerial Post
Commemorating the inaugural aerial post-delivery in UK. On Saturday, September 9th, 1911, Gustav Hamel piloted his Bleriot XI from Hendon to Windsor. This remarkable flight delivered the first official aerial mail and marked a new era in British postal history. Read the story on our Airmail – The Windsor Connection page.
Homelife and Leisure
Wedding dress
The wedding dress Marjorie Brierley (1914 – 2001), originally from Oldham. She married Clarence Finch (1911 – 1992), a master farmer of Mills Farm, Oakley Green. They wed at Windsor Parish Church on 6th September 1937. Their reception was held at the Castle Hotel, Windsor.
Childhood and School
WW2 Plane Spotters Notebook
A vintage World War II Spotter’s Notebook, originally an old-school exercise book, brimming with identification silhouettes of various aircraft, along with photos and newspaper cartoons.
Buildings and Architecture
Lion’s head
A cast iron lion’s head from 1850 – 1899.
Originally a decoration from Albert Bridge across the River Thames near Datchet. The original bridge was opened in 1851, and despite a hole appearing in 1914, it was only replaced in 1927.
Arts and Prints
Watercolour by AY Nutt
Called ‘Evening, looking up the Thames, from the outer wall, Windsor Castle.’ no.17, September 1888. An accurate landscape of the River Thames by local artist A.Y. Nutt. Brunel’s railway bridge and Clewer Village’s Norman church, St Andrew’s, can be seen.
Archaeology and Ancient
Bronze Age bracelet
A gold Bronze Age bracelet made of fine twisted gold from 1300BC – 1150BC. It was found with five rings in a field on the edge of Windsor in about 2011.
Please note: we have permission to use the images above. They are copyrighted by the Windsor and Royal Borough Museum and can not be used without their written permission.
Friends of Windsor Museum 